02-16-2025, 02:43 AM
As the crew began to report in, Jenny considered the mission before them; they were going to initiate first contact with a race who venerated pilots and engineers, and who challenged any new species they came across to a race. On paper, that was going to be simple enough, but in reality things were already looking like they were going awry. Theresa Black's bereavement leave couldn't have occurred at a worse time, the sixteen-week round trip between Starbase 214 and Earth meant that her Helm Officer (since she was no longer Chief Tactical Officer) would be absent for nearly four months. While she'd sympathised with the woman for her loss, she now wasn't sure if she would have approved it had she known what lay ahead - the needs of the service took precedence over personal concerns, after all, and while she'd been tempted to recall the elder woman, she also knew that she needed a pilot on top form for what lay ahead.
Plus the civilian transport wouldn't have turned around, anyway.
What she had, instead of her top pilot, was Flint Chertstone. While he was qualified for the role, Jenny had noted that his personnel record indicated his ego outweighed his ability, which is why his rank remained low, and why he had never been assigned outside of Delta Shift. It also explained why he'd been assigned to the Yeager, his cocky attitude had rubbed a few superiors the wrong way, and they'd needed a dumping ground for him. Jenny would have preferred to have one of her Senior Noncoms fill the Alpha Shift helm position, but his rank automatically moved him into the position.
For now, at least...
With Black absent, T'Lari was now senior Tactical Officer and therefore de-facto Chief Tactical Officer, and that meant that Jenny would need to keep her at her preferred weapons station; while Jenny had held the position while operating as the Artemis' helmsman, and Black had held it aboard the Philadelphia, it was tradition that the junior members of the department flew the ship while the more mature officers were given access to the things that went "boom". Unfortunately, unless something happened, that meant that the inevitable race and diplomatic relations with the Wairara would rest on the shoulders of Chertstone.
Might as well pack my bags now...
“The Helm is ready at your command. Captain.”
Jenny nodded slowly, checked around to make sure her Bridge officers were all present, and then consulted the terminal between herself and Jensen. The crew had all been allowed back aboard the prior evening, which meant she wasn't waiting for the shore patrol to pick up any stragglers. The "diplomatic aide" was also aboard, and there was already a complaint logged in the system that his quarters were inadequate. Because of course they were.
"Take us out of dock, one-quarter Impulse. Then set course one-five-zero mark three-five-zero, Warp Eight."
With the direction given, Jenny turned back to Jensen.
"When we go to warp, I want to see all senior officers in the briefing room. And request the Middies come along, as well, they might learn something."
Plus the civilian transport wouldn't have turned around, anyway.
What she had, instead of her top pilot, was Flint Chertstone. While he was qualified for the role, Jenny had noted that his personnel record indicated his ego outweighed his ability, which is why his rank remained low, and why he had never been assigned outside of Delta Shift. It also explained why he'd been assigned to the Yeager, his cocky attitude had rubbed a few superiors the wrong way, and they'd needed a dumping ground for him. Jenny would have preferred to have one of her Senior Noncoms fill the Alpha Shift helm position, but his rank automatically moved him into the position.
For now, at least...
With Black absent, T'Lari was now senior Tactical Officer and therefore de-facto Chief Tactical Officer, and that meant that Jenny would need to keep her at her preferred weapons station; while Jenny had held the position while operating as the Artemis' helmsman, and Black had held it aboard the Philadelphia, it was tradition that the junior members of the department flew the ship while the more mature officers were given access to the things that went "boom". Unfortunately, unless something happened, that meant that the inevitable race and diplomatic relations with the Wairara would rest on the shoulders of Chertstone.
Might as well pack my bags now...
“The Helm is ready at your command. Captain.”
Jenny nodded slowly, checked around to make sure her Bridge officers were all present, and then consulted the terminal between herself and Jensen. The crew had all been allowed back aboard the prior evening, which meant she wasn't waiting for the shore patrol to pick up any stragglers. The "diplomatic aide" was also aboard, and there was already a complaint logged in the system that his quarters were inadequate. Because of course they were.
"Take us out of dock, one-quarter Impulse. Then set course one-five-zero mark three-five-zero, Warp Eight."
With the direction given, Jenny turned back to Jensen.
"When we go to warp, I want to see all senior officers in the briefing room. And request the Middies come along, as well, they might learn something."